At the end of today, if it has been preoccupied with thoughts of enjoyment that might be coming, we will find that we have lost something valuable that will be gone forever. Today! In hoping to be happy about something in the future, instead of being happy right now, we are missing out. We often want more time, more money for that new purchase, a better job, better health. The list may be long. This is such a waste because there are probably many things to feel really good about each day. Unfortunately we are encouraged to dwell on things that we have yet to acquire. If we were bombarded with daily reminders of how lucky we are and how much we have to be happy about, we would retire at night with wonderful days behind us.
"No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy the sunlight today, mix good cheer with friends today, then enjoy it and bless God for it. Do not look back on happiness or dream of it in the future. You are only sure of today; do not let yourself be cheated of it." - Henry Ward Beecher
Our day should be free of other stresses and worries. An analysis of a bad event that has happened, or may happen, can be worthwhile in determining a course of action. Beyond that, to continue worrying about it is a completely useless waste of time and is harmful to our health. Worry does not help the future experience and could make it worse, and the past cannot be changed.
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could, some blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
So enjoy yourself today because it is not coming back.
lunes, 29 de diciembre de 2008
lunes, 17 de noviembre de 2008
Friendship 101
Good friendship is healthy but it isn't easy for everyone. It’s OK if you don’t fit in with ‘majority’, but sometimes we are so unique that we are left all alone, with no friends. This is why I'm writing a quick and simple 6 step guide on how you can find friends, and keep them. I don't guarantee much, but hey! at least you tried.. right? Even though having many friends may not guarantee happiness; it still may play a key role in our lives.
So let's start..
1. Find your old friends. The first thing you should do before gettig new friends is finding your old ones. We've all had friends at some point of our lives: school, work, church, etc. Old friends are easy to re-establish a connection with: just ring or email; don’t feel shy about it, as they’ll likely be delighted to hear from you and they’ll want to get you caught up on all their news.
If this isn't a good idea then we're back to square one. There are lots of reasons why you might want to be brave and develop some new relationships. Perhaps you’ve moved away from all your friends. Perhaps you’re deliberately been seeking to put the past behind you. So you're next option is..
2. Find another lonely person. If you find yourself lonely and pathetic, you need to find someone else that is going through the same stage that you are going through. Maybe someone else has the qualities you have, or likes the same things you like. Try and look for them. Maybe if you go to the places you like to go, or do the things you like to do.. you'll find people to spend time with. Example: There's normally more than one lonely person in a park, right? So, why not go talk to them? Don't get me wrong! I don't mean that you should stalk them, and freak them out (remember that if you scare them away, we're back to zero) so just be friendly. Remember: "Friendship improves happiness and abates misery by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief." - Marcus Cicero
3. Make them like you. After you've found someone to talk to..then..getting people to like you is the starting point, and that should be fairly easy to do. People have a basic need to be liked themselves. Show interest, appreciation, and kindness. Smile. Praise given out sincerely is a great act of friendship. Be a good listener and try to see the good, not the bad qualities in people. These actions will usually be returned to you, sooner or later. (Hopefully sooner than later)
4. Once you’ve made contact, stay in touch. Now that you have someone to talk to, then you have to keep in touch. Remember: Communication is the key in friendships. I find Facebook very useful for keeping track of all my friends – almost everyone I know uses it, and it’s an easy way to see what everyone’s up to. Email is also great, since it’s instantaneous and free.
5. Hang out. Now that you've got a friend, now you can have some fun. I love spending time with my friends, and doing fun stuff with them. Don't go back to your routine of being lonely and pathetic. Take care of your friendship and help it grow. Example: Your new friendship is like a plant. It has to grow, but in order to grow it needs some help. You need to feed it, give it some air, and light. Only with care and love will it grow. So take care of your friend(s) and appreciate them!!
6. Keep your friend(s). Lastly, as a friend, try to let an unfavorable incident or remark fly right over the top of your head. We all blurt out something stupid or do something regrettable at times, and it's so nice when the other acts as if it never happened. Simply, be a friend to your friends.
Ok so, those are my 6 step guide to how a person can find friends and keep them. I've honestly never tried them, but I have tons of friends so I think they should work! lol.
Remember: "The rule of friendship means there should be mutual sympathy between them, each supplying what the other lacks and trying to benefit the other, always using friendly and sincere words."
Because the only way to have a friend is to be one. . .
So let's start..
1. Find your old friends. The first thing you should do before gettig new friends is finding your old ones. We've all had friends at some point of our lives: school, work, church, etc. Old friends are easy to re-establish a connection with: just ring or email; don’t feel shy about it, as they’ll likely be delighted to hear from you and they’ll want to get you caught up on all their news.
If this isn't a good idea then we're back to square one. There are lots of reasons why you might want to be brave and develop some new relationships. Perhaps you’ve moved away from all your friends. Perhaps you’re deliberately been seeking to put the past behind you. So you're next option is..
2. Find another lonely person. If you find yourself lonely and pathetic, you need to find someone else that is going through the same stage that you are going through. Maybe someone else has the qualities you have, or likes the same things you like. Try and look for them. Maybe if you go to the places you like to go, or do the things you like to do.. you'll find people to spend time with. Example: There's normally more than one lonely person in a park, right? So, why not go talk to them? Don't get me wrong! I don't mean that you should stalk them, and freak them out (remember that if you scare them away, we're back to zero) so just be friendly. Remember: "Friendship improves happiness and abates misery by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief." - Marcus Cicero
3. Make them like you. After you've found someone to talk to..then..getting people to like you is the starting point, and that should be fairly easy to do. People have a basic need to be liked themselves. Show interest, appreciation, and kindness. Smile. Praise given out sincerely is a great act of friendship. Be a good listener and try to see the good, not the bad qualities in people. These actions will usually be returned to you, sooner or later. (Hopefully sooner than later)
4. Once you’ve made contact, stay in touch. Now that you have someone to talk to, then you have to keep in touch. Remember: Communication is the key in friendships. I find Facebook very useful for keeping track of all my friends – almost everyone I know uses it, and it’s an easy way to see what everyone’s up to. Email is also great, since it’s instantaneous and free.
5. Hang out. Now that you've got a friend, now you can have some fun. I love spending time with my friends, and doing fun stuff with them. Don't go back to your routine of being lonely and pathetic. Take care of your friendship and help it grow. Example: Your new friendship is like a plant. It has to grow, but in order to grow it needs some help. You need to feed it, give it some air, and light. Only with care and love will it grow. So take care of your friend(s) and appreciate them!!
6. Keep your friend(s). Lastly, as a friend, try to let an unfavorable incident or remark fly right over the top of your head. We all blurt out something stupid or do something regrettable at times, and it's so nice when the other acts as if it never happened. Simply, be a friend to your friends.
Ok so, those are my 6 step guide to how a person can find friends and keep them. I've honestly never tried them, but I have tons of friends so I think they should work! lol.
Remember: "The rule of friendship means there should be mutual sympathy between them, each supplying what the other lacks and trying to benefit the other, always using friendly and sincere words."
Because the only way to have a friend is to be one. . .
jueves, 13 de noviembre de 2008
What's your reason?
I've been talking about living life, and about making an impact with your life, so I think I should talk about the meaning I've found in life.
Since the dawn of time, the ultimate question has been asked in a number of ways. "Why do we exist?", "What is the meaning of life?", and "Does God exist?" My answer to these questions are that yes God does exist, and He created you with a purpose.
It only makes sense to ask "What is the meaning of life?" if we believe that life was created for a reason. If life simply evolved on Earth by accident, if we just happen to be here, then life cannot have any meaning. Life can only have meaning if it was created for a purpose. If there is no Creator, then there can be no meaning of life.Of course, people can try to find meaning in life without believing in a Creator. We can set ourselves goals—wealth, fame, helping others—and decide to devote our lives to achieving them. If we do this, then in some sense our lives seem to become about achieving wealth, or fame, or whatever, to take on that meaning. It seems possible to impose meaning on life through our own decisions and desires.
Most people who ask "What is the meaning of life?" really mean something like "What goals should we set ourselves?" There is a misunderstanding here, however; meaning cannot be imposed on life through our decisions and desires. The attempt to impose meaning on a life that would otherwise be devoid of meaning fails.
People can try to find meaning in life without believing in a Creator in just the same way as they can try to find meaning in random scribbles or in clouds. If one looks at a cloud hard enough for long enough and applies enough wishful thinking then one can find a hint of a familiar face or object, and try to project this meaning onto it. That doesn’t make a cloud a portrait, though; it doesn’t give it true meaning. Thinking that the meaning of life is the pursuit of our self-set goals is like seeing a face in a cloud and calling it a portrait. The true meaning of life depends on the reason for our creation. If we want to find the meaning of life then we need to ask why we were put here.
Christianity gives one answer to this question. The reason that we are here is that God created us to have a relationship with him. This is why God created a universe fit for human life, and why He laid down guidelines for how to live our lives. According to the Bible, each one of us is created for communion with God; God wants to know us, to love us, and to rejoice with us. In the Bible God tells us that the barrier to this relationship is sin, but since Jesus gave His life for us (John 3:16), then God heals that relationship, removes that barrier no matter how great it has become, and restores us.
If the world around you doesn't fulfill your expectations, and thoughts like "What do I live for?" and "What is the meaning of my life?" keep bothering you, we need to talk. It's not a feeling of melancholy, and no medicine will cure it. Rather the answer is you are so special, and you were created with a divine purpose. But you have to follow God to find the way to live.
There are many reasons why a person will make the choice to pursue Jesus. Where do you fit?
●I am an adventurous person and am willing to explore who God is. I have always been fascinated with the idea of the supernatural.
●The life I am living is miserable and I am searching for the way out. Life cannot be this pointless. (John4:11-13, 10:7-10)
●I have seen examples of family and friends who have lived a life with God and I want to have the same thing. I have always have respect for sincere Christians that really know God. The Christians I know are not perfect, but they seem to be fulfilled in life. (II Corinthians 3:1-3)
●I am not sure what eternity will really be like, but I don't like the sound of existing in a timeless realm of despair and regret. I am scared of going to hell. Heaven sounds like a pleasant place where I would like to go. (Luke 16:24-30, Hebrews 11:7, Jude 21-23)
●I have been raised in an atmosphere where there is a God consciousness and I have accepted that. Yet, I refuse to believe that what my family and friends are participating in is all that God has to offer. (Luke 19:1-10, John 3:1-5, Acts 10:1-8, 19:1-7)
●I cannot shake the felling that I am not living the life that God wants me to live. (Revelation 3:21)
●I have read or had someone tell me what the Bible says. I believe it is true and I can see that there are some things that I am lacking. (Acts 2:37-38, 16:29-34, Hebrews 4:12)
What is the common thread in ALL the reasons that we think of?
A: FAITH (Hebrews 11:5,6) Believing that there is "someone" that is bigger and greater than you.
So what is the "Meaning of Life"? -- The answer to this question cannot come from human intelligence or reason, but only from the Creator himself who transcends our material world. God gave us the ability to choose whether we live by His moral laws or by whatever values we assign to ourselves through our own reason. As we find, we are not mere robots placed on this earth by God. Rather, we have absolute free will to follow what He says or not. We can either recognize God as the Creator of the universe, or we can deny that He exists. We can choose to live a meaningless life or a life with absolute and eternal purpose. The choice is up to you. What do you believe?
Since the dawn of time, the ultimate question has been asked in a number of ways. "Why do we exist?", "What is the meaning of life?", and "Does God exist?" My answer to these questions are that yes God does exist, and He created you with a purpose.
It only makes sense to ask "What is the meaning of life?" if we believe that life was created for a reason. If life simply evolved on Earth by accident, if we just happen to be here, then life cannot have any meaning. Life can only have meaning if it was created for a purpose. If there is no Creator, then there can be no meaning of life.Of course, people can try to find meaning in life without believing in a Creator. We can set ourselves goals—wealth, fame, helping others—and decide to devote our lives to achieving them. If we do this, then in some sense our lives seem to become about achieving wealth, or fame, or whatever, to take on that meaning. It seems possible to impose meaning on life through our own decisions and desires.
Most people who ask "What is the meaning of life?" really mean something like "What goals should we set ourselves?" There is a misunderstanding here, however; meaning cannot be imposed on life through our decisions and desires. The attempt to impose meaning on a life that would otherwise be devoid of meaning fails.
People can try to find meaning in life without believing in a Creator in just the same way as they can try to find meaning in random scribbles or in clouds. If one looks at a cloud hard enough for long enough and applies enough wishful thinking then one can find a hint of a familiar face or object, and try to project this meaning onto it. That doesn’t make a cloud a portrait, though; it doesn’t give it true meaning. Thinking that the meaning of life is the pursuit of our self-set goals is like seeing a face in a cloud and calling it a portrait. The true meaning of life depends on the reason for our creation. If we want to find the meaning of life then we need to ask why we were put here.
Christianity gives one answer to this question. The reason that we are here is that God created us to have a relationship with him. This is why God created a universe fit for human life, and why He laid down guidelines for how to live our lives. According to the Bible, each one of us is created for communion with God; God wants to know us, to love us, and to rejoice with us. In the Bible God tells us that the barrier to this relationship is sin, but since Jesus gave His life for us (John 3:16), then God heals that relationship, removes that barrier no matter how great it has become, and restores us.
If the world around you doesn't fulfill your expectations, and thoughts like "What do I live for?" and "What is the meaning of my life?" keep bothering you, we need to talk. It's not a feeling of melancholy, and no medicine will cure it. Rather the answer is you are so special, and you were created with a divine purpose. But you have to follow God to find the way to live.
There are many reasons why a person will make the choice to pursue Jesus. Where do you fit?
●I am an adventurous person and am willing to explore who God is. I have always been fascinated with the idea of the supernatural.
●The life I am living is miserable and I am searching for the way out. Life cannot be this pointless. (John4:11-13, 10:7-10)
●I have seen examples of family and friends who have lived a life with God and I want to have the same thing. I have always have respect for sincere Christians that really know God. The Christians I know are not perfect, but they seem to be fulfilled in life. (II Corinthians 3:1-3)
●I am not sure what eternity will really be like, but I don't like the sound of existing in a timeless realm of despair and regret. I am scared of going to hell. Heaven sounds like a pleasant place where I would like to go. (Luke 16:24-30, Hebrews 11:7, Jude 21-23)
●I have been raised in an atmosphere where there is a God consciousness and I have accepted that. Yet, I refuse to believe that what my family and friends are participating in is all that God has to offer. (Luke 19:1-10, John 3:1-5, Acts 10:1-8, 19:1-7)
●I cannot shake the felling that I am not living the life that God wants me to live. (Revelation 3:21)
●I have read or had someone tell me what the Bible says. I believe it is true and I can see that there are some things that I am lacking. (Acts 2:37-38, 16:29-34, Hebrews 4:12)
What is the common thread in ALL the reasons that we think of?
A: FAITH (Hebrews 11:5,6) Believing that there is "someone" that is bigger and greater than you.
So what is the "Meaning of Life"? -- The answer to this question cannot come from human intelligence or reason, but only from the Creator himself who transcends our material world. God gave us the ability to choose whether we live by His moral laws or by whatever values we assign to ourselves through our own reason. As we find, we are not mere robots placed on this earth by God. Rather, we have absolute free will to follow what He says or not. We can either recognize God as the Creator of the universe, or we can deny that He exists. We can choose to live a meaningless life or a life with absolute and eternal purpose. The choice is up to you. What do you believe?
Some quotes on life..
Ok so my theme for this week if you haven't noticed is LIFE.
I believe that sometimes we forget to enjoy the gifts God has given us..
What are the wisest words anyone has ever told you that apply to life? The wisest I ever heard were from my dad. He said 'You only get one life and no rehersal'. What's the most though provoking words you ever heard that made an impact on your life?
Here are some amazing words about life that I found...
You've got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you're not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice. -Steven D. Woodhull
Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections -????
Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it, boldness has genius, power, and magic in it -Johann Wolfgang van Goethe
Even if you are on the right track, you'll still get run over if you just sit there. -Will Rogers
Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling -Margoret Lee Runbeck
What you are is what you have been, and what you will be is what you do now -The Buddha
If you try you may fail, if you don't try you're guaranteed to fail. -Jesse Jackson
No one appears on our stage unless the director has placed them there for our benefit -Paramahansa Yogananda
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important -????
When one door of happiness closes, another opens, often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. -Helen Keller
Success is not fame or money or the power to bewitch. it is to have created something valuable from your own individuality and skill - a garden, an embroidery, a painting, a cake, a life. -Charlotte Gray
Some things have to be believed to be seen. -Ralph Hodgson
Remember, if you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns! -Allison Gappa Bottke
Now that it's all over, what did you really do yesterday that's worth mentioning? -Coleman Cox
We have to live today by what truth we can get today and be ready tomorrow to call it falsehood. -William James
Tough and funny and a little bit kind: that is as near to perfection as a human being can be. -Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966
I love it...you never know what's around the corner in life, do you?
I hope these quotes were a bit inspiring, if not at least you laughed some.
Live for today!
I believe that sometimes we forget to enjoy the gifts God has given us..
What are the wisest words anyone has ever told you that apply to life? The wisest I ever heard were from my dad. He said 'You only get one life and no rehersal'. What's the most though provoking words you ever heard that made an impact on your life?
Here are some amazing words about life that I found...
You've got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you're not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice. -Steven D. Woodhull
Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections -????
Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it, boldness has genius, power, and magic in it -Johann Wolfgang van Goethe
Even if you are on the right track, you'll still get run over if you just sit there. -Will Rogers
Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling -Margoret Lee Runbeck
What you are is what you have been, and what you will be is what you do now -The Buddha
If you try you may fail, if you don't try you're guaranteed to fail. -Jesse Jackson
No one appears on our stage unless the director has placed them there for our benefit -Paramahansa Yogananda
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important -????
When one door of happiness closes, another opens, often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. -Helen Keller
Success is not fame or money or the power to bewitch. it is to have created something valuable from your own individuality and skill - a garden, an embroidery, a painting, a cake, a life. -Charlotte Gray
Some things have to be believed to be seen. -Ralph Hodgson
Remember, if you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns! -Allison Gappa Bottke
Now that it's all over, what did you really do yesterday that's worth mentioning? -Coleman Cox
We have to live today by what truth we can get today and be ready tomorrow to call it falsehood. -William James
Tough and funny and a little bit kind: that is as near to perfection as a human being can be. -Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966
I love it...you never know what's around the corner in life, do you?
I hope these quotes were a bit inspiring, if not at least you laughed some.
Live for today!
miércoles, 12 de noviembre de 2008
Life
"Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time dead." - Scottish Proverb
Everyone says, "How the time flies." The days go by and they are years, and the years finally become our whole life. Each daily portion can be wasted, or it can be a pleasure, before it is gone forever. If a bedtime review of the day concludes that we were too stressed, too busy, didn't accomplish anything, didn't have any fun, then it has been another lost piece of precious life. Perhaps we are putting off our enjoyment until we have more time, or money, or some other improved condition. The trouble with that is that it might never happen, or it may be too long in coming. It's so important to accept this time, this very minute, as something of tremendous value that will very soon be gone forever. There are many ways to ensure that we make the best of our time here on earth.
In our daily routine let's include time to enjoy others and thus ourselves. Look and wonder at the trees, fields and mountains, smell the flowers, hear the birds, and watch the clouds in the sky."This world, after all our science and sciences, is still a miracle; wonderful, magical and more, to whosoever will think of it." - Thomas Carlyle. Face your problems bravely, confidently, and improve on your situation, no matter what state it be in. Be good to feel good. Be active and improve your mind. Laugh, relax, and sleep well.
Life is mostly froth and bubble;Two things stand like stone:Kindness in another's trouble,Courage in our own. - Adam Gordon
Everyone says, "How the time flies." The days go by and they are years, and the years finally become our whole life. Each daily portion can be wasted, or it can be a pleasure, before it is gone forever. If a bedtime review of the day concludes that we were too stressed, too busy, didn't accomplish anything, didn't have any fun, then it has been another lost piece of precious life. Perhaps we are putting off our enjoyment until we have more time, or money, or some other improved condition. The trouble with that is that it might never happen, or it may be too long in coming. It's so important to accept this time, this very minute, as something of tremendous value that will very soon be gone forever. There are many ways to ensure that we make the best of our time here on earth.
In our daily routine let's include time to enjoy others and thus ourselves. Look and wonder at the trees, fields and mountains, smell the flowers, hear the birds, and watch the clouds in the sky."This world, after all our science and sciences, is still a miracle; wonderful, magical and more, to whosoever will think of it." - Thomas Carlyle. Face your problems bravely, confidently, and improve on your situation, no matter what state it be in. Be good to feel good. Be active and improve your mind. Laugh, relax, and sleep well.
Life is mostly froth and bubble;Two things stand like stone:Kindness in another's trouble,Courage in our own. - Adam Gordon
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